History

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Our vision was established in 2002, and in 2009 Teresa Ervin connected with women who shared the same vision and would assist her in bringing it to fruition.

In April 2010, we began working with Kairos Prison International Ministries, Second Chance Society, Dismas Charities, and Prison Fellowship.

Then, in February 2013, Hope City Center Inc. became a 501(c)(3) faith-based non-profit organization and started providing direct resources and referrals in Broward and Dade County, Florida.

In June 2014, we began providing direct resources and referrals to the Hollywood Work Release Center and Homestead Correctional Institute.

In March 2015, we extended our services to Henderson and Lowell Correctional Institutes in Central Florida.

In 2016, we began providing direct services to men at Everglades Correctional Institute.

Currently, we are providing direct services and resources in South Florida and SE Georgia.

The long-term effects and hurdles faced by ex-offenders due to their incarceration create significant challenges. 

However, the successful reintegration of ex-offenders into society and their attainment of stable employment not only benefits them but also has a positive impact on their children, immediate families, and communities. 

This, in turn, leads to the improvement of neighborhoods, schools, and overall communities, while simultaneously alleviating the burden on social welfare, justice, and correctional programs. 

Our program is designed to empower graduates to transition from being a financial burden on society to becoming taxpayers and active contributors to their communities.

The United States has the highest incarceration rate compared to any other country and often benefits financially from it. Stephen Colbert once humorously remarked, "Some may say that jailing people over their debts makes poverty into a crime. Well if that’s true, maybe we should just cut out the middleman and put all poor people in jail. Of course, this will require new prison facilities, which we can build using people who can’t pay their prison fees. Not as workers, as the bricks."

The Hope City Center's approach involves a combination of methods, including workshops before and after release, providing direct resources, mentorship, coaching, and advocacy. This approach focuses on addressing addictions, cognitive workshops to tackle personal issues, domestic abuse, parenting and family reunification, and education.